World
Germany: Real Wages Rose 1.5% in the Second Quarter of 2026
Real wages in Germany rose 1.5% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Nominal wages increased 4.1%, while consumer prices climbed 2.5%. Real wage growth had reached 1.8% in the first quarter. Despite the latest gain, real wages were only 0.6% above their second-quarter 2019 level. The lowest-paid fifth of full-time employees recorded the strongest average pay increase, at 6.7%, compared with 3.3% for the highest-paid fifth.